Expensive Employment

Emmzi

mrcow wrote: »

What about dinner though?

well, I have bagels for dinner. or any of the 30p soup and noodles in a cup type things. Or I take a thermos and make porridge or pasta and sauce.

It'as not insurmountable, certainly not for a few weeks.

shreddy

I used to work as cabin crew and we had the exact same problem, it was even worse when we actually got the first pay cheque....around £500 because we hadn't been flying so got no sector pay or commission! On the first day of training we were told to go and speak to our friends and family and mortgage company as there was no way our first wages would cover our outgoings until we started flying!

We were never able to claim it back... we given forms on the first day which clearly stated what the company would pay for and what we were responsible for. So many people want the job, that there's always someone willing to accept these terms!

We had a lot of pizzas delivered!

K

Debt_Free_Chick

There is no obligation for her employer to provide food as well as lodging.

On the face of it, your daughter is in the same situation as she would be, if she were "at work" rather than training - so she would feed herself when at work, would she not? If so, then her employer is not putting her in any different position.

The main problem seems to be the limited choice of where to eat/buy food. Can she not get off the airport now and then? Or would that not solve the problem?

Oldernotwiser

I think that the problem seems to be that the OP's daughter is thinking of eating meals out, rather than buying food she can eat in her hotel room. Picnicking like this won't do a young person any harm for a few weeks.

3plus1

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

On the face of it, your daughter is in the same situation as she would be, if she were "at work" rather than training - so she would feed herself when at work, would she not? If so, then her employer is not putting her in any different position.

They are, because ordinarily she would have access to an oven, hobs and/or a microwave, I asume? It's very difficult to feed yourself without any basic cooking facilities!

That said, I strongly suspect you're right with regards to the legal position on this. A lot of employers offer a daily allowance for things like this, but I think that's more out of the goodness of their hearts rather than the law.

If you're lucky, you might get a minibar in a hotel and a kettle. The minibar won't be meant for using as a fridge, but you could still get some cold (cooked) meat in there for sandwiches etc. Maybe some milk for cereal. The kettle could be used for noodles or cous cous. Beyond that, I'm struggling for suggestions.

Debt_Free_Chick

3plus1 wrote: »

They are, because ordinarily she would have access to an oven, hobs and/or a microwave, I asume?

Although, not during working hours. But you have a point, in relation to an evening meal

Which is why many employers offer a "subsistence" allowance when you are required to "live" away from home. Even then, it's not given as a legal right and can be a very basic allowance of, say, £5 ...? I guess one could eat at a fast food place for a fiver, but to do so every night would be "not great" and torture for many of us

I agree - it's a bit mean but, sadly, I can't see any way to force the employer to cover the costs.

Personally, I would go to the end of the earth to avoid being away from home, for a number of reasons, but there are occasions when it's necessary.

Some "lateral thinking" is needed in this situation, I think.

Surfer

I seem to recall some EU directive stating that basically when you are away from home on business you are working 24/7 which is why the drivers of tour buses get well subsidised. Maybe this needs checking.